Christmas Book Recommendations!

Hi, everyone! I thought it would be fun to share a few of my favorite Christmas books today on the blog. I love all of these, and I highly recommend them all! Here we go! :)

Not listed in any particular order.

10 Blind Dates by Ashley Elston

My True Love Gave to Me edited by Stephanie Perkins

Snow in Love by Multiple Authors

Christmas Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella

Dashing Through the Snow by Debbie Macomber

When Christmas Comes by Debbie Macomber

Twelve Days of Christmas by Debbie Macomber

Have you read any of these? What are your favorite Christmas/holiday books? :)

2019 Christmas Songs Book Tag

I saw this tag on Jana's blog (That Artsy Reader Girl) that she created, and thought it was really fun! And perfect for Christmas. For this post I'm going to focus on books I've read in 2019. (But these were not all released in 2019.) Here we go!

1. “All I Want for Christmas Is You”: Favorite bookish couple.

Two couples came to mind when I read this question, so I'm going to list both of them! First, Lucky and Jack from Somewhere Only We Know by Maurene Goo were adorable, and I loved their relationship. Second, I loved Poppy and Sam from I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella.

2. “I’ll Be Home for Christmas”: Name a book where a character is away from home (school, vacation, etc.).

I was skimming my Goodreads 2019 shelf trying to think of a book for this question, which was actually harder than I thought it would be! I decided on answering with The Hummingbird Dagger by Cindy Anstey. The main character is away from home in the book (and doesn't remember where home even is, because she's lost her memory), so it fits! Also, I really enjoyed reading this book.

3. “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”: Name your favorite “little” book (children’s book, short story, novella, etc.).

I haven't read any short stories this year, and sadly I haven't read many picture books this year (Honestly, I read a lot less overall this year. I really need to try and catch up!). I don't have a book for this question.

4. “Santa Claus is Coming to Town“: What book(s) do you hope Santa brings you this year?

I have a whole wishlist of books for Christmas, and there's a lot on it from Santa to choose from!

5. “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”: Which book turned your nose red (made you cry)?

I've cried a lot this year, but not many books made me cry. (I think because when I did read, I was mostly reading happier books.) But there were multiple parts in Sherwood by Meagan Spooner that made me emotional! It was a really good book!

6. “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year”: Your favorite book/kind of book to read during the holidays.

Christmas books! I have multiple ones on my TBR list, but two that I've already read this year are Christmas Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella and 10 Blind Dates by Ashley Elston. I loved both of them!

7. “We Three Kings”: Your favorite trilogy.

I didn't read a trilogy this year!

8. “Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow”: A character you would love to be snowed in with.

Jack from I've Got Your Number!

9. “Last Christmas”: A book that seriously let you down.

I don't really like listing anything negative about books on here, so I'm not going to answer this one. :)

10. “White Christmas”: An upcoming release you’re dreaming about.

Ooh, there are so many! I really don't think I could list just one! :)

That was fun! Thank you to Jana for creating this tag! :)

Where I've Been

Hi, everyone. I'm writing this post today to let you know where I've been the past two months. If you follow me on Twitter, you probably already know all this, but I thought I should post something here on the blog to explain where I've been. And if you want to skip this post, I totally understand. I'm going to be talking about some upsetting things, so if you're not in a place where you can read that, I totally understand and completely respect that.

My Mom had to have major surgery towards the end of October. It went well, and I'm very happy to report she's recovering really well from it. But at the time, I just wasn't in the place mentally to write blog posts, and I also didn't have time to, because I was taking care of her during the first two weeks of her recovery. Just when things were getting better with that, our dog got sick. They found out he had cancer, and it was advanced. The Monday before Thanksgiving we had to put him down. We were all devastated. Bruno was a part of our family, and we all took it hard, I couldn't stop crying when it happened. I get emotional now writing this. My depression began to come back stronger, and my brain was trying to go to dark places. I talked to my doctor, who put me on more medicine (to go along with the medicine I was already taking for my anxiety/depression), and between that and prayer, I was able to get to a place where it still hurts, but I'm able to better handle it. I'm always going to miss him, but I'm going to honor his memory by keeping it together mentally as well as I'm able to. He hated it when anyone in the family was sad, and he wouldn't want me to cry all the time. I also wanted to thank everyone on Twitter who responded with kind words when I tweeted about it. It helped more than you know.

I'm also trying to keep busy, because that helps me with my mental state. Which is why I feel like I'm able to go back to blogging now. I have a few posts scheduled, and I'm looking forward to writing a wrap up for the year (because I always think those are fun), and writing my annual books to look forward to in the coming year. I also have the 2020 Debut Author Event coming up in January, so look forward to that!

Thank you for letting me write all this, and I hope you'll look forward to reading my posts coming up.

Are You Ready For Sweater Weather? The Autumn Tag

Hi, everyone! I saw this tag on JennieLy's blog that she created, and I thought that it looked like fun! :)

Hot Chocolate: Your Favorite Comfort Book?

The first book that came to mind is Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella. Even if I don't have time to reread it, I like to pick it up and skim through it to reread my favorite parts.

Pumpkin Carving: What is Your Favorite Creative Outlet?

It used to be drawing, but I fell away from that. I'm trying to get into it again, but I would say crafts right now. I love all kinds of crafts, but one of my favorites is making wreaths!

Falling Leaves: Changes That Appear Bad But You Secretly Love?

I hate change. I know that's bad, but change stresses me out, and I just don't like it. I guess I could say change that keeps me from eating at my favorite restaurants, and forces me to try new ones. (I know that's a pathetic response but it's all I could come up with!)

Pumpkin Spiced Latte: Something You Love That Others Tend to Judge?

Disney! I love anything that involves Disney, but I've been judged so many times because of that. I don't care what people say, just because I'm an adult doesn't mean I can't love Disney!

Bonfire Night: What Makes You Explode With Joy?

When I get to read a new book or watch a new movie that I've been anticipating for awhile!

Fright Night: Favorite Scary Book or Film?

I've talked about this before, but I don't like scary books/movies. It's just not for me. But two movies that I love watching for Halloween are Hotel Transylvania and the newer Ghostbusters!

Halloween Candy: Favorite Thing to Eat?

Anything chocolate! Seriously. I love dark, white, milk, if it's chocolate I love it!

Scarves: Your Autumn "Must Have" Accessory?

My answer for this one is actually scarves! I love accessorizing my outfit with a pretty scarf!

Fire: A Book or Film That Burns Your Soul?

I don't know what book or movie to pick for this question!

Toffee Apples: A Book or Film That Seems One Thing But Really Has a Different Inside?

I know I have an answer to this question, but I can't think of it right now.

I really enjoyed answering these questions! Thank you to Jenniely for creating this fun tag! I tag anyone who wants to participate in it! :)

Random Friday: Movie Soundtracks

Random Friday is hosted by Awkwordly Emma

The Random Friday topic this week is Movie Soundtracks! I decided I'm going to focus on Disney soundtracks this week, because that was what came to mind first when I saw what the topic was. I also decided that I would just pick five, to really highlight my favorites! (Though, I should have just called this my favorite Disney Princess albums, because all the soundtracks I picked are from those movies.) Here we go!

Frozen

I love this whole album! I could listen to it all the time.

The Little Mermaid

I've loved this album since I was little. (Part of Your World is my favorite!) And in my opinion, it has the best Disney villain song of all the movies.

Mulan

Who doesn't like this album?

Tangled

*sings When Will My Life Begin?*

Brave

I love the instrumental music, and Touch the Sky is fantastic!

What are your favorite movie soundtracks? :)